II. On the magnetic phenomena produced by electricity; in a letter from Sir H. Davy, Bart. F. R. S. to W. H. Wollaston, M. D. P. R. S
Humphry Davy · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London · 1821
Abstract My dear Sir, The similarity of the laws of electrical and magnetic attraction has often impressed philosophers; and many years ago, in the progress of the discoveries made with the voltaic pile, some enquirers (particularly M. Ritter,) attempted to establish the existence of an identity or intimate relation between these two powers; but their views being generally obscure, or their experiments inaccurate, they were neglected: the chemical and electrical phenomena exhibited by the wonderful combination of Volta, at that time almost entirely absorbed the attention of scientific men; and the discovery of the fact of the true connection between electricity and magnetism, seems to have been reserved for M. Oersted, and for the present year. This discovery, from its importance and unexpected nature, cannot fail to awaken a strong interest in the scientific world; and it opens a new field of enquiry, into which many experimenters will undoubtedly enter: and where there are so many objects of research obvious, it is scarcely possible that similar facts should not be observed by different persons. The progress of science is, however, always promoted by a speedy publication of experiments; hence, though it is probable that the phenomena which I have observed may have been discovered before, or at the same time in other parts of Europe, yet I shall not hesitate to communicate them to you, and through you to the Royal Society.